Chickens running loose on 605 Freeway find new home at farm sanctuary

A group of chickens that snarled traffic on the 605 Freeway after a cage carrying the birds fell from a truck have found a new home at a sanctuary in Acton.

The incident happened Jan. 2 on the 605 Freeway near the interchange with the 105 Freeway in the highway's southbound lanes. The driver was unaware the cage fell off the truck and did not stop, officials said.

They were rescued by responding California Highway Patrol officers and eventually taken to Farm Sanctuary, which aims to combat the abuses of factory farming and to bring awareness and understanding about farm animals.

Farm Sanctuary issued a statement about the chickens:

"We'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to the California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Springs officers who acted with compassion and rescued the chickens who were strewn across Interstate 605 in the Norwalk-Downey area early Tuesday, most likely after falling off a truck during transport to slaughter. We're grateful to start the New Year by welcoming nine of those survivors to Farm Sanctuary's Southern California shelter. 

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